Naked Bacon is the first product to be sold in the UK without nitrites, preservatives, E numbers and all allergens, according to its Northern Irish makers Finnebrogue.

The nitrite-free rashers will go on sale from January 10. But at 50p a slice compared to the usual 25p, each pack is twice the price of regular supermarket brand bacon.

Many shoppers may be wondering whether it’s worth the splurge in order to stay healthy. So, is traditional bacon bad for you? And is there a link between bacon and cancer?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has previously said there is evidence linking processed meats with bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer.

In 2015, a WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report said: “Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”

Processed meat refers to any meat which has been transformed by salting, curing, fermentation or smoking to enhance its flavour and preserve the product.

Bacon, sausages, ham, corned beef, salami and beef jerky are all examples along with canned meat and meat-based sauces.

What makes these types of meat dangerous are the carcinogenic chemicals, such as nitrites, that form during the cooking or curing process.

Health experts concluded that for every 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily, the risk of developing bowel cancer rose by 18 per cent.

This was supported by independent academic organisation Global Burden of Disease, which said 34,000 cancer deaths a year worldwide were because of diets high in processed meat.

However, the risk dropped to “probably carcinogenic to humans” for red meat, which includes veal, port, lamb, mutton, horse and goat.

Dr Christopher Wild, director of IARC said: “These findings further support current public health recommendations to limit intake of meat.

“At the same time, red meat has nutritional value. Therefore, these results are important in enabling governments and international regulatory agencies to conduct risk assessments, in order to balance the risks and benefits of eating red meat and processed meat and to provide the best possible dietary recommendations.”

Earlier this year, the American Institute for Cancer Research reported eating wholegrains daily, such as brown rice or whole wheat bread can lower the risk of bowel cancer.

However, with many people not willing to give up the bacon just yet, will Naked Bacon provide a tasty alternative?

Finnebrogue chairman Denis Lynn believes so. He said: “Our Naked Bacon is not only safer than any other bacon on the market, it also tops the charts in blind taste tests.

“This really is the biggest revolution to the British breakfast for a generation.”